Renée Victor, the actress best known for her voice role as Abuelita in the beloved animated film Coco and as Lupita on Showtime’s Weeds, died surrounded by her family at her home in Southern California. Her cause of death was lymphoma. She was 86.
“Renée is perhaps best known as the voice of ‘Abuelita’ in Disney’s 2017 blockbuster Coco,” a statement from her daughters Raquel Victor and Margo Victor read in part. “Renee was loved by so many & had fans all over the world. Her memory will be cherished by all who knew her.”
Coco director Lee Unkrich said on a post on Instagram: “Renée was an incredible talent, both as an actor and dancer, and she was enormously proud of her role in Coco. This is so sad. I’m absolutely gutted.” Coco 2 is in development now, and there is no word on how this will affect the role of Abuelita.
Pixar also shared on Instagram: “We are heartbroken to hear of the passing of Renée Victor, the voice of Abuelita in Coco and an incredible part of the Pixar family. We will always remember you.”
Renée Victor was born in San Antonio, Texas on July 25, 1938, and was the eldest of three sisters. She moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s, where she launched her career in entertainment as a singer for prominent bandleaders who spearheaded the popularity of Latin music in the U.S., including Xavier Cugat and Perez Prado. She was also as a dance instructor, teaching salsa and tango. She met her husband through dance classes. She and her husband traveled globally to perform together under the banner “Ray & Renée” from 1963 to 1973.
Besides her singing and dancing, she hosted Pacesetters on KTLA 5 in Los Angeles in the 1970s. This show highlighted the Chicano Power movement. She joined the Screen Actors Guild in 1973, and eventually transitioned to television and film work in the 1980s. This allowed her to make appearances in series like Scarecrow and Mrs. King and Matlock. Her film credits include The Doctor alongside William Hurt, as well as The Apostle and A Night in Old Mexico.
Renée Victor also had a recurring role on ER as Florina Lopez, voice acting for the 1992 animated series The Addams Family, and recent appearances on shows like Vida, Gentefied, All Rise, Snowpiercer, Mayans M.C., Dead to Me, A Million Little Things and With Love.
Aside from her role as Abuelita in Coco, she lent voice in other cartoons and video games — most recently in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, which came out in April.
Daps Magic extends our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Renée Victor.
What did you think of Renée Victor’s legacy as an actress, dancer, and singer? What was your favorite role she played? Let us know in the comments.
